Biracial Sensitive Practice: Expanding Social Services to an Invisible Population

Biracial Sensitive Practice: Expanding Social Services to an Invisible Population

Journal of Human Behavior in the Social Environment
Volume 5, Issue 2 (March 2002)
pages 29 – 44
DOI: 10.1300/J137v05n02_03

Ronald E. Hall, Professor of Social Work
Michigan State University

Although literature acknowledges the existence of a biracial population, there has been minimal discussion of the differences indicative of biracial clients and how these differences impact provision of services. Too frequently, race criterion has been utilized to categorize biracial clients resulting in an all but invisible population. A biracial individual may then assume a multiplicity of identities, including African-, Asian-, Latino- and Native-American, when negotiating with macro institutions, including social services. As an alternative to racial paradigms, identity across the lifespan is suggested as a more comprehensive model for biracial clients. In the aftermath said clients will be rendered visible by identity models that prevail less on the basis of race and more on the basis of experience extended across the lifespan.

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